AMAZING ACTING
I love Zhang Ruoyun's acting!! Especially in this drama, his acting of a character who is a mathematical genius but doesn't have strong social awareness is so impressive. His performance is always so good! This was a short drama and even though it's a bit dry, I like how it's not dragging. It started with a problem that the ml needed to solve and it ended after the problem was solved. I really liked the cinematography and directing of this drama. The colors and the pan movements were really fitting. There is also a lot of politics that go really deep. I wouldn't say the plot itself is that interesting but if you like Zhang Ruoyun, this is a good filler drama! Also almost everyone is this drama are experienced actors and I'd say they played their roles of government officials so well!Was this review helpful to you?
Numbers don’t lie, or do they?
3530.3530 of discrepancy in tax payment that should be shared with 7 other districts.
3530 tax payment error meets with an autistics mathematical genius that’s obsessed with accuracy, and boom, we have our story.
As Shuai Jiamo brings his appeal on the case to the court, he is met with various obstacles and attempt of murders on his life. That’s because once tax and other districts are involved, we have interest of people to consider.
What makes this story engaging for me is the multi-faceted magistrates that come into the story. I love the honest (one-sided) discussion they had with Shuai Jiamo on why they could not support his appeal even if they think he is right simply because they have their people’s interest to protect. And ironically, they only share their true stance with Shuai Jiamo because they know he only care about numbers, and not the complex burden of human desires.
Addition of Chen Renqing veiled moral principles to the mix further add colors to a supposedly dry story.
Despite my enjoyment of Under the Microscope, I recognise this isn’t a show for everyone. This is a show, microscopically for people who have interest in politics, psychology, math, finance system, and history.
I’d also recommend watching this 14-episode in one go. There are many informations and facts to take note after all.
- How does Shuai Jiamo proof that his district had overpaid 3530 tax amount for over 100 years?
- Why and how 3530 tax error draws the interest of a local tyrant?
- How does it links with the death of Shuai Jiamo’s parents 20 years ago?
Still following? Have fun with Under the Microscope.
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This review may contain spoilers
An Underappreciated Gem
Under The Microscope is another engaging series that stars Zhang Ruoyun along with his Joy of Life co-stars, Wang Yang and Wu Gang. It is one of those shorter C-dramas that truly benefits from its 14-episode length. Unlike longer period dramas of its kind, this one has a simpler, albeit more socially relevant plot concerning issues that people can identify with even to this day. The story centers around an autistic mathematics genius named Shuai Jiamo as he uncovers an insidious plot that involves years of corruption and tax evasion of those who possess the most power and wealth. This continues to be a problem in our modern society so it's highly relatable. The rich become richer because they can get away with evading taxes and stealing land from the less fortunate, while the poorer become poorer because they're the ones paying the taxes.It didn't immediately catch my attention as there's a lot of serious talk about taxation, mathematical equations, and calculations in the beginning. As I'm mathematically dumb, my brain kept shutting down, and I tended to nod off while watching the first few episodes. So I had to take a break from it. It wasn't until episode 5 when it finally picked up for me, so to me, it is a bit of a slowburn. But that's just me. If you're interested in mathematics and accounting, then this is right up your alley. By the time it picks up, though, it doesn't stop and ends in a truly satisfying fashion that it leaves you feeling happy for the protagonists because the little people won against those in power. This is the only C-drama I've seen thus far that really sticks the landing. And that ending alone is one of the major reasons why it is on my top 10 most favorite C-dramas of all time.
The characters are complex and easily relatable despite them supposedly existing hundreds of years in the past. Jiamo has the innocence and purity of a child who has yet to learn what mischief is all about and Ruoyun plays him to perfection. As I suspect that his character suffers from autism, he is often seen musing or mumbling to himself as he calculates complicated equations in his head and tries to make sense of what he has discovered. But when he starts talking about mathematics, he lights up with so much gusto, imparting his expert knowledge in accounting like a child telling his favorite bedtime story. He is, for a lack of a better word, amazing in this role. Wang Yang, who plays the lawyer, Cheng Ren Qing, is equally brilliant. In the beginning, he made me feel so frustrated as he battles wits with Jiamo and foils his plans. But by the second act of the series, he starts singing a different tune and you, as part of the audience, begin to wonder what his actual deal is. I grew to love his character by the end, which was the exact opposite of how I felt for him initially. Wang Yang plays this dubious role with such skill that he makes you genuinely dislike him at the start but you end up cheering for him. Talk about great character development! Jiamo's loyal best friend, Feng Bao Yu, is one of my favorites. You first meet him as a spendthrift playboy whose only real goal in life is to go to gambling houses and kill as much time as he can. But as the series goes on, you see a significant change in him as he grows more mature and responsible. His loyalty to Jiamo is exemplary and most definitely his best trait. It's his relationship to Jiamo that motivates him to become a better man. He is one of the funnier and more adorable characters in the drama. I also found some of the public officers funny and endearing, especially the Magistrate. Simply put, the characters and actors are all great!
As far as production value is concerned, I don't think it has the biggest budget based on the costumes and sets. But I kinda like the grittier and more grounded look of the drama. It makes it more believable and more like a historical documentary than a dramatic series. The music I wasn't very fond of, though. It didn't stand out to me so I can't say much about it.
All in all, this is a wonderful short series that I would most definitely recommend to anyone willing to give it a shot. It has great acting all around and a gripping plot about tax evasion and the shameless machinations of those involved to cover up their crime. It's only 14 episodes so it's very bingeable.
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A scrutiny of corruption
This complex tale of corruption by the people in power and the actions used to cover up their greed and malfeasance is quite gripping.The ML, like his father before him, is a genius at maths. His savant nature enables him to absorb and compute vast data and understand it. He appears disconnected to the world and has only one friend that he can relate to and together they set out to correct the corruption.
Enter the jaded lawyer whose ability to use his rhetoric to confuse his audience and lead them to the outcome he wants (has been paid to get) and truth is lost.
The story may have a dry topic, however, the cliff hangers come thick and fast as the master mind conspires with the corrupt officials to maintain his position and do away with these two upstarts.
Their near death experiences and last minute rescues keep the action at the forefront. Their touching trust in each other and strong support add warmth to the story.
NB Ep. 13 the solo singing of the Tea Harvesting song is breathtakingly beautiful.
Terrific support roles, great settings and camera work add to the enjoyment of a tale well told and relevant today.
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a strange genius
They made a good series based on a simple story. Of course, there were simple mistakes, but the connection of the flow of the series to the past, the boy keeping his father's words obsessed with a measurement event with what was left in his mind. Land measurements and the prevention of a great injustice that has been going on for years are also explained. Of course, issues such as the obstacles of those who have interests, personal conflicts of interest, the burning of age as well as the currency, the perspective of friendship, family, knowledge and skill were also discussed. We also learned that those who remained silent in the face of injustice finally could not stand it and exposed themselves, and that the beneficiaries wanted to silence the public by presenting the bandits as if they were officers. A little bit of romance and a little bit of humor was added and mixed with it. In fact, although long conversations, mathematical equations, dwelling on the measurement techniques of that time were a bit boring, we also experienced emotional scenes. So it's a blending. Ruo Yun was pretty good in the slightly awkward Jia Mao role. Because the personality was somewhat interesting. They mixed quirkiness with a little weirdness, it just seemed like a malfunctioning type to me. I wondered if this is how it should be. The image of a genius in one subject was like a sick type. I guess they saw it as appropriate, I watched it even though I was a little strange. The actor gave this oddity well, but it is debatable whether he should have played like this. After all, I enjoyed watching it. However, it's not perfect. It was a watchable production for those who like this style. The actors were also quite successful. The story was simple but had a complex narrative. Some things were overlooked while others were overlooked too quickly. It was skipped or something, there was a missing breach.Was this review helpful to you?
Really boring and drawn out.
This was quite boring and I was amazed the thin premise couldn't support even the very short 14 episodes.That's it, really.
The actors were mostly solid, but they don't have much to do, since nothing happens.
This could've been a movie and I'd watch it, the basic idea is not entirely uninteresting.
But 14 episodes of THE SAME THINGS HAPPENING OVER AND OVER?
God no, this was dire.
.....................................................................................................
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The acting is good, but I found the plot was boring, so I am dropping it.
Under the Microscope may have an excellent cast with strong performers, but I think Zhang Ruo Yun is being typed cast in investigative historical dramas. This is not the first drama I have seen him in, he played a similar role in Joy of Life, and I am sure Joy of Life 2 will be similar. The same goes for Sword Snow Stride, for they are all about solving corruption and/or murder in the royal palace or some dynasty.After 5 episodes, I could no longer continue because I found it boring and not enjoyable. I heard great reviews about the Joy of Life, so I am watching it but don't find it enjoyable.
I am dropping this drama and giving it a 6.0 rating because of the acting, but I don't care much about the plot. The visual and production quality is quite good. iQiyi knows how to produce good quality production dramas, unlike Tencent.
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ZHANG RUOYUN!!!!!!
Before I say anything I would love to know if Zhang Ruoyun is actually a genius in real life. This is the third drama am watching him (After 1. Joy of Life 2. Sparrow) and he's still not disappointing. And why is he always a genius when I meet him. It's too early to review after just 4 episodes but 4/14 is a percentage and with such a drama every moment is worth it.1. STORY
I wont say much because I don't want to spoil for the ones that haven't started. So I'll generalize and say it's a wonderful story in a wonderful world about a mathematical genius in those historic times. And so far so good on that part, no disappointment in the scripts. I wonder how rich he would have been if it was actually someone living among us in our current world with these betting stuff and lotteries. It's a story worth your time, so if you haven't, then better go ahead.
2. CAST
This part they really got me. Ruoyun(ML also in Joy of Life and Sparrow), sentiments aside, was the only best person to take on this role. He does it so well and as I said, he actually looks like the genius he plays. I wouldn't imagine anyone else in this role but maybe Yang Yang (ML in Who Rules the World) would have given it a meaning but in this case he can't beat Ruoyun.
Next perfect placing was the second ML(Also second ML in Lost in the Kunlun Mountains). I watched him last just recently and he's a top notch actor. He's always beside top talents 1. Xu Kai in 2022's Lost in the Kunlun Mountains 2. Zhang Ruoyun in 2016's Joy of Life. and now once again with Ruoyun for the second time am watching them together. He should quit acting acting and become a head of police or a huge business person (Lol, just joking, he has that face).
Over to Wu Gang who also am watching second time together with Ruoyun after Joy of Life. This 'old' man is a talent and he does so great as a villain. I wonder what he would look like if we met on the road. Scary? He reminds of Jin Mu in 2022's KDrama Alchemy of souls.
**This casting was so good and having such three high profile actors would be beneficial to any set-piece.**
MUSIC
The OST is great, not too much noise with vocals and personally I like it that way. The OST carries you into the episode and prepares your brain on what you're about to watch and the world you're about to enter. I liked the same from Princess Silver, Sparrow, Royal Nirvana, Nirvana in Fire, Game of Thrones, Westworld, HOTD and a few more(On the Hollywood side, not Asian), Martial Universe, Legend of the Phoenix, …
Not too much of SFX and it's great where used.
REWATCH VALUE
So far so good, the 4 episodes are rewatchable but early to determine if the rest will be up to standard which I hope they will be.
OVERALL
A must watch if you love historical dramas. Good acting and production. Good story. Let's meet when it ends. Happy watching till then.
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